Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags
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  37 STARS, SILK WITH LINEN SLEEVE, TUMBLING STARS, NEBRASKA STATEHOOD, 1867-76

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): n/a
Flag Size (H x L): 30" x 46"
Description....:
37 STARS, PRINTED ON SILK, LINEN SLEEVE, DANCING OR TUMBLING STARS, NEBRASKA STATEHOOD, 1867-1876: 37 star American National parade flag, printed on silk. The stars of this example are consecutively point-up, point down in their rows, resulting in what I call dancing or tumbling stars. This is different from scattered star positioning, where the vertical alignment is relatively random. The strong colors are striking. The canton is a beautiful and quite unusual ocean blue, while the red stripes remain a strong scarlet. The presence of a homespun linen hoist is very unusual for a parade flag. It is treadle-sewn, while the fly end is bound by hand. It is typical to see this mix of hand and machine stitching during the second half of the 19th century, which was a transitional period for flag construction. 37 star flags are very scarce, due not only to their age, but also to the lack of major patriotic events during the period they were used, which followed the Civil War yet preceded the 1876 centennial (our nation's 100-year anniversary of independence). While the 37 star flag was still official in 1876, it was well known that at least one more state would be joining the Union that year. This caused flag makers to cease production in favor of 38 and 39 star flags, which were made as early as 1875 or even prior. The 37th state, Nebraska, joined the Union on March 1st, 1867. The 37 star flag was official from that year until 1877, although it fell out of use in 1876 with the addition of Colorado. Mounting: The flag has not yet been mounted. Condition: There is an old, mended nick along the bottom edge of the last stripe, which has been stabilized with hand-stitching. There are a number of tiny rust spots along the hoist where it was once tacked to a stick. There is very minor bleeding in the white stripes and minor fading in the canton.
Collector Level: Intermediate-Level Collectors and Special Gifts
Flag Type: Parade flag
Star Count: 37
Earliest Date of Origin: 1867
Latest Date of Origin: 1876
State/Affiliation: Nebraska
War Association: 1866-1889 Indian Wars
Price: No
 

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